Ranger Faith (Texas Ranger Heroes #4) - Lynn Shannon Page 0,2
apology letter.
“Hold the tree straight, please.” Sage bent down to tighten the screws on the stand. Her slender form disappeared under the lower boughs. “I want you to be happy, Bennett. All you do is work, work, work. How are you going to meet someone if you never date?”
“I’m not interested in meeting anyone. End of story.”
Sage backed out from underneath the tree and swiped at her hair. “Uh-huh. We’ll see.”
The back door banged open, followed by a thunderous set of footprints. Bennett braced himself as his niece raced into the living room and used the couch as a launching pad. The five-year-old slammed into his back, wrapping her slender arms around his throat. “Uncle B, Uncle B, Uncle B.”
“Elizabeth Marie Hutchins!” Sage planted her hands on her hips. “Did you just jump on Nana’s couch?”
“Sorry, Mama.” Liz clung to Bennett. “Uncle B is too tall for me to jump on without using the couch.”
Bennett smothered a laugh. Sage glared at him, but there was a twitch at the corner of her mouth as she fought to contain her own smile.
Sage cleared her throat. “I’m sure if you ask nicely next time, Uncle Bennett will bend down so you can climb on his back.” She tickled her daughter’s side. “You little spider monkey. Don’t use Nana’s couch.”
“Yes, Mama.” Liz leaned over so she could see Bennett’s face. “Uncle B, some lady is here to see you. She’s outside.” Liz flashed an adorable grin. One front tooth was missing. “And she’s very pretty.”
Bennett rolled his eyes. “Heavens, not you too.”
Sage laughed. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
“Tell me about it. I’m surrounded by matchmaking females. Even Mom is getting in on the action.” Bennett adjusted his hold on his niece. “Come on, Liz, let’s go see who came for a visit.”
He wasn’t expecting anyone, but that didn’t matter. People often stopped by the ranch for a chat or to discuss a problem. Liz giggled as Bennett bounced her on his back in a pony ride. His boots thumped against the front porch.
A woman was waiting on the wide driveway next to a sedan. A silky curtain of dark hair hid her face. Duke, Bennett’s German shepherd, was making himself useful as a greeting party. The dog’s tail swiped across the concrete as the visitor stroked his head.
Bennett hopped down the porch stairs. “Can I help you, ma’am?”
The woman glanced up. Bennett’s steps faltered. “Emilia.”
They hadn’t spoken in several months, hadn’t seen each other in almost a year. The friendship they’d formed while working on the task force shifted after Derrick’s attack on Emilia. Conversations became stiff and uneasy. Emilia never said it outright, but Bennett understood his presence triggered unwanted memories about the night she nearly died. It wasn’t possible to avoid each other completely due to work, but Bennett did his best to minimize their contact to avoid causing Emilia pain.
He missed her though. Their friendship had meant something to him, and he was happy to see her now. Light makeup colored Emilia’s cheeks and lips, drawing attention to her gorgeous features. Bangs flirted with chocolate-brown eyes. Her jacket was unbuttoned, and the pink sweater and slacks underneath hugged her curves.
Emilia dropped her hand from Duke’s head. “Hi, Bennett. I’m sorry to drop in like this, but I need to speak to you. It’s important.”
“See, Uncle B.” Liz announced loudly from her perch on Bennett’s back. “Didn’t I tell you she was pretty?”
Heat warmed the back of his neck. There was no denying Emilia was stunning, but now was not the time to discuss it. Bennett lowered his niece to the ground. “Liz, honey, go inside and help your mom find Nana’s decorations.”
“Okay.” She waved to Emilia. “Nice to meet you again. I know you said we met before when I was four, but I don’t remember.”
Emilia smiled softly. “That’s okay. Nice to meet you, too, Liz.”
The little girl skipped inside the house. Emilia gestured after her. “Your niece is as adorable as I remember.”
“She’s a handful but a cute one.” Bennett removed his work gloves. “And, as you can tell, as opinionated as my baby sister.”
Emilia laughed. Bennett tossed the gloves in the bed of the ranch work truck. “Come on in. There’s fresh coffee and my mom probably has some cookies in the jar.”
“I don’t want to disturb your family.” Her gaze flickered to the house before settling back on him. “And what we need to discuss should be done privately.”
It was becoming clear this wasn’t